Article July 16, 1932 Issue

"Increase our faith"

[Original article in German]

PAUL MARCZINSKI

With loving patience Jesus encouraged his disciples to follow him in the exemplification of his works. When their endeavors did not meet with success, and they questioned their Master as to the reason for their failure, it was their unbelief that he especially stressed. As, however, the disciples sincerely desired to eliminate their weaknesses, their appeal to the Master, "Increase our faith," may be readily understood. His answer, as we read it in Luke's Gospel, not only was of significance to Jesus' immediate disciples, but applies to every earnest seeker of Truth having the desire to follow in the footsteps of the great Master, Christ Jesus.

Jesus said, "If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you." If we would be successful in the application of the truth, then even the little we understand must be our absolute, firm conviction. How important this is to all of us is indicated by the fact that the first sentence in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy (p. 1) reads, "The prayer that reforms the sinner and heals the sick is an absolute faith that all things are possible to God,—a spiritual understanding of Him, an unselfed love." This absolute faith in God's omnipotence is a necessity in every demonstration.

Again, Mrs. Eddy says (ibid., p. 412), "Be thoroughly persuaded in your own mind concerning the truth which you think or speak, and you will be the victor." With doubt in our hearts we can achieve but little.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Should Such a Faith Offend?